BlackRock World Mining

BRWM’s managers: we see all the classic signs of high commodity prices...

BlackRock World Mining

BRWM remains well placed to benefit from tight commodity markets…

BlackRock World Mining

BRWM can be seen as a diversified and nimble virtual mining company…

BlackRock World Mining

BlackRock World Mining (BRWM) is a specialist trust offering exposure to mining and metals companies globally. A number of themes have coalesced in the last couple of years to provide a strong tailwind to the sector. Despite short term volatility, profitability, dividends and sentiment towards mining companies and BRWM have all improved significantly. In our recent meeting with the managers, they expressed their firm opinion that the tailwinds are still entrenched and gave a positive outlook.

Catch a tiger by the tail

It’s the topic on everyone lips. Yes, Inflation. It is thirty years since the UK has seen inflation at a higher level. Will it subside, or will it persist? Not possessing a crystal ball, this isn’t something we are going to determine here. However, what we will discuss are the various trusts that investors might like to consider as a reaction to this very novel environment. We consider how one might most directly benefit from rising inflation, and potentially protect capital or income in real te

It’s the end of the world as we know it

We examine five potential themes for investors seeking long-term returns in a troubled and uncertain world

Regime change

Ahead of our spring conference, we ask whether investors need to junk their portfolios and start again

BlackRock World Mining - Overview

BlackRock World Mining (BRWM) is a specialist trust offering exposure to mining and metals companies globally. Over the past 12 months or so a number of important themes (see the Portfolio section) have coalesced to provide a hefty tailwind to the sector. Despite short term volatility recently, profitability, dividends and sentiment towards mining companies and BRWM have all improved. When we met up with the managers recently, they were bullish on these tailwinds continuing to develop, and view

Shoot to Thrill: ISA targets for long term growth

In times of crisis, the Romans would consult the Sibylline Prophecies. Contained therein was a prophecy that the 12 vultures seen by Romulus as he founded Rome (despite founding a start-up he still had time left for birdwatching, living before the modern-day culture of investors demanding updates) represented a signal that the primacy of Rome would last 12 saecula, a saeculum being a period taken as something between 85-100 years. With Rome and the Western Roman Empire falling to the Visigoths i

Spring Conference ‘21

Starting on Tuesday we heard from managers running investment trusts across all of the world’s major equity regions and found a bullish but cautious outlook was prevalent as the tide begins to turn on COVID-19.

BlackRock World Mining - Overview

The past 12 months has seen a significant shift in fortunes for BlackRock World Mining Trust (BRWM), which appears decisively for the better. The team’s long-running investment thesis – of investing in miners which show capital discipline and a willingness to reward shareholders with dividends – is paying off. Commodity prices have remained firm during 2020, and in most cases seeing gains with a background of supply constraints. On the demand side, despite the pandemic induced economic slowdown

Morning Note – 22 April 2024

Benefits of scale set to materialise

Frenkel Topping - Resilient with strong growth potential

FY 2023 was a challenging year for Frenkel with higher interest rates encouraging clients to place money into lower margin money market funds. Despite this, sales grew +32% (supported by recurring revenue +9% and +51% in non-recurring), EBIT margins remained strong at 22% and adj. EPS grew +17% (taking into account the higher number of shares). FY 2024 has seen a solid start to transactional business and there is a strong pipeline of new FUM opportunities both of which support further growth. Wi

Bluefield Solar Income Fund – Fundamentals shine despite discount

The manger comments that, in common with the other trusts in the renewable energy sector, the last six months have continued what has been a challenging period for the Bluefield Solar Income Fund (BSIF). It adds that the trust’s ongoing fundamental performance has failed to reverse a steady slide in its share price which began back in May 2023. Despite this, it says the company has continued to deliver solid NAV growth and market-leading shareholder distributions thanks to a range of contractual

LSL Property Services (LSL LN) - Transformation & market recovery

2023 results are, as indicated in its February pre-close update, “slightly ahead of market expectations”. Current trading continues to improve, with 1Q24 underlying operating profit up yoy, “reflecting the benefits of the Group’s transformation programme completed in 2023 as well as improving market conditions.” With net cash of £35m at end 2023, the Board approved 7.4p final DPS and £7m buy back.

Henderson Far East Income - Repositioning to raise total returns

Henderson Far East Income (HFEL) has consistently delivered on its objective to provide a rising dividend. However, like many investors, HFEL’s managers overestimated the potential for a post-pandemic rebound in China. The trust’s resultant overweight to Chinese consumer and other cyclicals led to a fall in portfolio revenues and underperformance in the financial year ended 31 August 2023 (FY23). With a view to improving future returns, HFEL’s board has since indicated an increased willingness t

S&U - PBT ahead, encouraging volume trends

S&U reported FY24 PBT of £33.6m, down from £41.4m in FY23 on higher funding and regulatory costs and higher impairments in Advantage in H2. PBT was 2% ahead of our forecast as stronger revenues – up 12% to £115.4m – and better costs offset higher-than-expected impairments. Net receivables grew to a record at both Advantage and Aspen and management noted particular strength in Q4 and a good trading environment in the current year. Having absorbed a significant rise in funding cost as well as addi

Hardman & Co Insight: 2023 was an annus horribilis for Quoted UK Infrastructure and Renewable Energy

The focus of Hardman & Co Research is on the nine quoted Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and on the 22 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs): the stocks analysed are all members of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). We are updating our publication of January 2023, assessing both the lacklustre share price performances during 2023 and the key issues, including interest rates, inflation and power prices. As a 31-strong group, its combined market capitalisation is no

Foresight Solar Fund - Termination of coverage

Edison Investment Research is terminating coverage on ABC Arbitrage (ABCA), paragon (PGN), Foresight Solar Fund (FSFL), Kendrion (KENDR), Lithium Power International (LPI), Triple Point Energy Transition (TENT), 4iG (4IG), e-therapeutics (ETX), Pharnext (ALPHA) and Shield Therapeutics (STX). Please note you should no longer rely on any previous research or estimates for this company. All forecasts should now be considered redundant. Previously published reports can still be accessed via our web

LIBERUM: PensionBee: Strong start to the new financial year

LIBERUM: NewRiver: Q4 trading update: Continued operational momentum

International Public Partnerships - Consistently and responsibly delivering

International Public Partnerships’ (INPP’s) FY23 results show that it continues to deliver consistent and predictable returns for investors, while delivering environmental and social benefits for the individuals and communities that are served by its assets. Despite this strong performance and a substantial need for private infrastructure funding, the macroeconomic environment has weighed on INPP’s share price, in common with the wider sector. Regardless, attractive returns are available from th

Witan

Business as usual for WTAN’s executive team, while the board reviews investment management arrangements…

Regional REIT - Performing as expected ahead of refinancing

In a challenging market, Regional REIT’s (RGL’s) FY23 operational and financial performance was robust, in line with expectations and previous guidance. Investor focus remains on the company’s loan to value (LTV) reduction and bond refinancing plans, explored in detail in our previous note and RGL will provide an update on this in due course.

LIBERUM: PayPoint: On track for £100m of EBITDA in FY 26